Decision on hiking fuel prices, LPG cylinder cap soon: Moily

New Delhi: The government will take a decision on raising diesel and cooking fuel prices along with increasing number of subsidised LPG cylinders for households "as quickly as possible," Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily said on Friday.

The ruling UPA's political leadership is holding consultations on options like raising diesel and LPG prices to cut an unprecedented Rs 160,000 crore revenue loss expected from selling auto and cooking fuel below cost this fiscal.

"Decision will be taken as quickly as possible," Moily said when asked about the impending fuel price hike.

He refused to be drawn into what his ministry was proposing or when and at what forum would such a decision be taken.

"When decision is taken, you will be the first to know," he said.

The Ministry's proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, the body empowered to take a decision on fuel prices, was based on recommendation of the Vijay Kelkar Committee, which was appointed by the Finance Ministry to suggest a roadmap for fiscal consolidation.

"Recommendation is the Kelkar Committee are under serious consideration," Moily said.

When repeatedly asked if his ministry has moved a Cabinet note for raising fuel prices, he said the Kelkar Committee recommendations "are under serious consideration."

The panel had recommended an immediate hike in price of diesel by Rs 4 per litre, of kerosene by Rs 2 a litre and of LPG by Rs 50 per cylinder. Thereafter, it suggested raising rates on a monthly basis till the revenue losses are wiped off.